Bouncing Back After a Heart Attack: It's Not Always Easy

You have had a
heart attack
and the worst is over. If you are like most people, you will be able to return to work and the activities you enjoy within just a few months. However, depending on how heart muscle is, your activities may be more limited. In either case, easing back into life after a heart attack is not always so easy. What can you expect and how can you cope with the challenges?

Phase One: Coping With the Initial Shock

Having a heart attack is, for most people, a traumatic experience. The first few days are often marked by shock and feelings of being overwhelmed. You might experience elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and
depression
after being hospitalized for a heart attack.
During your hospital stay, you are subjected to an onslaught of tests, drugs, and information. You may need to rest and let your heart heal, but your environment may be anything but restful. Your family may be scrambling around, hovering over your bed, and perhaps demanding information from your doctor. You may feel as though your family and your doctor are throwing too much at you and that things are happening much too fast. Keep in mind that the shock of your situation is perfectly normal, and that soon you will be going home. Try to get some rest.

Phase Two: Going Home From the Hospital

The next phase of adjustment takes place when you leave the hospital. While many people are eager to return to the comforts of home, they and their family members may also be frightened of leaving the safety and constant attention of the hospital coronary unit. During this time, it is not uncommon to feel lost and worried about the absence of a doctor or nurse. Your family may also share these feelings, and may be excessively watchful.

Under your doctor’s advice, you will gradually become more active. Depending on your condition, you may need assistance with daily tasks such as maintaining the house, shopping, cooking, bathing, and remembering to take your medications. As a result, family roles may change as well. Your spouse or children may make changes in their lives so that they can help take care of you. While these changes are intended to help, you may find that they sometimes stir up uncomfortable feelings.

After a heart attack, it is normal for people to experience negative feelings such as:

Fear of:

Dying

Having chest pains or another
heart attack

Not being able to have sex

Not being able to work

Anger:

That this happened to you

At the responses of family and friends

Depression:

From feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

Because you may not be the same again

Because others might think you are weak

Guilt:

That this is an inconvenience for your family

That you will not be able to fulfill certain responsibilities

It is healthy to talk about these feelings with your family, a compassionate friend, or a therapist. In time, these feelings should go away.

Your family and friends may feel:

Frightened that you have had a heart attack

Angry that it came at an inconvenient time

Guilty because they think that somehow they caused your heart attack

Talking openly about these feelings can help you and your family to cope more effectively with the situation.

Phase Three: Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is the longest and often the most difficult phase of the recovery process. It requires not only that your body heal itself, but also that you take an active role in helping it to get stronger.

Lifestyle Changes

During this time, you will probably continue to increase your activity level, make some changes in your diet, reduce your level of stress, and give up any habits that could negatively affect your health, such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol. You will almost certainly have new medications to take, perhaps along with some mild to moderate side effects. These medications will greatly reduce your risk of another heart attack, but they must be taken as directed. Some people find themselves highly motivated to make and continue needed changes. Others begin the changes, but gradually fall back into old habits, becoming complacent after they feel better. You are more apt to make and continue lifestyle changes with proper information, resources, and support.

Social Support

The support of family, friends, a therapist, or support group may reduce some of your fears, stress, and feelings of isolation.

Psychological Intervention

Perhaps along with social support, you may need additional help as you recover. Some people experience anxiety, depression, or other psychological distress after they have a heart attack. Addressing these psychological conditions via therapy may help ease the distress after a heart attack. Talk with your doctor if you are interested in learning more about mental health therapy.

Making Choices

By making the right choices during the recovery process, you have a good chance of returning to a full, active life. Here are some tips that can help:

Get as much information as you can from your doctor. Prepare for appointments and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations. Talk about any difficulties you have in making lifestyle changes, so that you and your doctor can develop a plan that works best for you.

Learn as much as you can about your heart and how you can make it stronger with lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.

Seek help for depression or other emotional difficulties.

Resuming Your Normal Activities

Your doctor will provide you with guidance about resuming your normal activities after your recovery. Most people are able to go back to work within 1-3 months. Depending on the condition of your heart and the strenuousness of your work, you may have to make some changes in how you do your job.

Most people are able to have sex after they recovery from a heart attack. As with other activities, you may need to start slowly and work up to your normal patterns. If you or your partner have any concerns, talk to your doctor.

Recovering from a heart attack can be difficult. But the aftermath of a heart attack can present an opportunity to re-examine one’s life and clarify important values. For many people, the experience is a springboard to a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Heart attack: tips for recovering and staying well. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/treatment/tips-for-recovering-and-staying-well.html. Updated March 2014. Accessed July 31, 2015.